Chandler v. Saul

          ORDER

          H. Russel Holland, United States District Judge.

         This is an action for judicial review of the denial of disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401-434. Plaintiff Danielle Mellanie Chandler has timely filed her opening brief, ^[1] to which defendant, Andrew Saul, ^[2] has timely responded. Oral argument was not requested and is not deemed necessary.

         Procedural Background

         On October 8, 2012, plaintiff filed an application for disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act, alleging that she became disabled on May 28, 2011. Plaintiff originally alleged that she was disabled due to graves disease and possibly lupus. But, at the second administrative hearing, plaintiff alleged that she was disabled due to trochanteric bursitis in both hips, lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy in both legs, and depression. Plaintiff's application was denied initially and on reconsideration. Plaintiff requested a hearing, and after an administrative hearing on November 26, 2013, an administrative law judge (ALJ) denied plaintiff's application. Plaintiff sought review of the ALJ's April 11, 2014 unfavorable decision. On October 14, 2015, the Appeals Council denied plaintiff's request for review. Plaintiff sought judicial review and on February 14, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oklahoma remanded this matter for further proceedings. Upon remand, an administrative hearing was held on March 8, 2018. After this second hearing, the ALJ again denied plaintiff's application. Plaintiff sought review of the ALJ's unfavorable decision. On March 9, 2019, the Appeals Council denied plaintiff's request for review, thereby making the ALJ's April 13, 2018 decision the final decision of the Commissioner. On May 6, 2019, plaintiff commenced this action in which she asks the court to review the Commissioner's final decision.

         General Background

         Plaintiff was born on June 7, 1978. Plaintiff was 32 years old on her alleged onset date, 35 years old at the time of the first administrative hearing, and 39 years old at the time of the second administrative hearing. Plaintiff completed tenth grade and then obtained a GED. Plaintiff's past relevant work was a customer service clerk, a telemarketer, a cashier, a supervisor, and a front desk clerk.

         The ALJ's Decision

         The ALJ first found that plaintiff met “the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act through September 30, 2015.”^[3]

         The ALJ then applied the five-step sequential analysis used to determine whether an individual is disabled.^[4]

         At step one, the ALJ found that plaintiff had “not engage[d] in substantial gainful activity during the period from her alleged onset date of May 28, 2011 through her date last insured of September 30, 2015. . . .”^[5]

         At step two, the ALJ found that “[t]hrough the date last insured, the claimant had the following severe impairments: degenerative disc disease and obesity. . . .”^[6]

         At step three, the ALJ found that “[t]hrough the date last insured, the claimant did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. . . .”^[7]

         “Between steps three and four, the ALJ must, as an intermediate step, assess the claimant's RFC.” Bray v. Comm'r of Social Security Admin., 554 F.3d 1219, 1222-23 (9th Cir. 2009). The ALJ found that

through the date last insured, the claimant had the residual functional capacity to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) except she was able to lift or carry 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently; occasionally climb ladders, ropes or scaffolds; occasionally stoop; sit, stand, or walk for 6 hours out of an 8-hour workday all with normal breaks; and push or pull 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently.^[8]

         The ALJ found plaintiff's pain and symptom statements less than credible. The ALJ considered the lay testimony of Linda Parker, ^[9] Misty Jo Beauchaine, ^[10] Elizabeth Norton, ^[11]Leah Shankle, ^[12] and Joseph Chandler^[13] but gave all of it little weight.^[14] The ALJ gave Dr. Scheirman's and Dr. Ryan's opinions great weight.^[15] The ALJ gave great weight^[16] to the opinion of Dr. Shadid.^[17]

         At step four, the ALJ found that “[t]hrough the date last insured, the claimant was capable of performing past relevant work as a telemarketer and customer service representative.”^[18] This finding was based on the testimony of the vocational expert at the second administrative hearing.^[19]

         Thus, the ALJ concluded that “[t]he claimant was not under a disability as defined in the Social Security Act, at any time from May 28, 2011, the alleged onset date, through September 30, 2015, the date last insured. . . .”^[20]

         Standard of Review

         Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), the court has the “power to enter, upon the pleadings and transcript of the record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the Commissioner. . . .” The court “properly affirms the Commissioner's decision denying benefits if it is supported by substantial evidence and based on the application of correct legal standards.” Sandgathe v. Chater, 108 F.3d 978, 980 (9th Cir. 1997). “Substantial evidence is ‘more than a mere scintilla but less than a preponderance; it is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.'” Id. (quoting Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 1995)). “‘To determine whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision, [the court] review[s] the administrative record as a whole, weighing both the evidence that supports and that which detracts from the ALJ's conclusion.'” Id. (quoting Andrews, 53 F.3d at 1039). If the evidence is susceptible to more than one reasonable interpretation, the court must uphold the Commissioner's decision. Id. But, the Commissioner's decision cannot be affirmed “‘simply by isolating a specific quantum of supporting evidence.'” Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1201 (9th Cir. 2001) (quoting Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999)).

         Discussion

         Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ erred in finding her pain and symptom statements less than credible. “An ALJ engages in a two-step analysis” in evaluating “a claimant's testimony regarding subjective pain or symptoms. . . .” Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1014 (9th Cir. 2014). “‘First, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has presented objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.'“ Id. (quoting Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1035-36 (9th Cir. 2007)). “In this analysis, the claimant is not required to show ‘that her impairment could reasonably be expected to cause the severity of the symptom []he has alleged; []he need only show that it could reasonably have caused some degree of the symptom.'” Id. (quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1282 (9th Cir. 1996)). “Nor must a claimant produce ‘objective medical evidence of the pain or fatigue itself, or the severity thereof.'” Id. (quoting Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1282). “If the claimant satisfies the first step of this analysis, and there is no evidence of malingering, ‘the ALJ can reject the claimant's testimony about the severity of her symptoms only by offering specific, clear and convincing reasons for doing so.'” Id. at 1014-15 (quoting Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281). “This is not an easy requirement to meet: ‘The clear and convincing standard is the most demanding required in Social Security cases.'” Id. at 1015 (quoting Moore v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 278 F.3d 920, 924 (9th Cir. 2002)). “‘General findings are insufficient; rather, the ALJ must identify what testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the claimant's complaints.'” Berry v. Astrue, 622 F.3d 1228, 1234 (9th Cir. 2010) (quoting Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 834 (9th Cir. 1995)).

         Plaintiff argues that the first reason the ALJ gave for finding her pain and symptom statements less than credible was because they were inconsistent with her 2011 lumbar spine MRI. The ALJ stated that her RFC was “supported by an MRI of the lumbar spine noting a small disc protrusion, mild disc bulge, and early degenerative facet changes in October 2011[.]”^[21] This appears to have been the ALJ's way of saying that plaintiff's pain and symptom statements were not supported by the medical evidence, in particular the 2011 lumbar spine MRI. Plaintiff argues that this was not a clear and convincing reason because she had another MRI of her lumbar spine, which was done in 2013, and the results of which were: “1. Degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with reactive bone marrow edema. 2. Multilevel broad-based disc bulges with bearing degrees of central canal stenosis and neural foraminal narrowing.”^[22] Plaintiff argues that the 2013 MRI clearly showed a worsening condition and that the ALJ “cherry-picked” the 2011 MRI and ignored the 2013 MRI as well as important findings from Dr. Ahmadinia, the spine surgeon, and her lumbar CT spine. Plaintiff complains that the ALJ only noted that Dr. Ahmadinia's assessment was lower back pain but did not acknowledge that he had also noted that plaintiff had “L5-S1 disc herniation and stenosis.”^[23] Plaintiff also contends that the ALJ ignored the fact that the CT scan of her lumbar spine in 2015 “demonstrate[d] changes of the L5-S1 disc. There is also evidence of L5-S1 loss of disc height and facet arthropathy. There is also evidence of a possible disc herniation causing stenosis at ¶ 5-S1 which is also calcified.”^[24]

         To the extent the ALJ discounted plaintiff's pain and symptom statements because they were inconsistent with her 2011 MRI, this was not a clear and convincing reason. As plaintiff points out, the results of her 2013 MRI and her 2015 CT scan showed that her low back condition was getting worse. Although the ALJ mentioned both the 2013 MRI and the 2015 CT scan in her discussion of the medical evidence, ^[25] the ALJ did not seem to take these objective findings into account when assessing whether there was objective medical evidence supporting plaintiff's subjective complaints. Rather, the ALJ seemed to focus on only the 2011 MRI. In assessing credibility, the ALJ must “‘[f]irst . . . determine whether the claimant has presented objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.'” Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1014 (quoting Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1035-36). The ALJ does not meet this requirement by focusing on only one piece of objective medical evidence.

         The next reason given by the ALJ for discounting plaintiff's pain and symptom statements was that “although the claimant treated for low back pain, had some abnormal MRI findings, and reported continued pain despite conservative treatment, the claimant reported wanting to continue conservative treatment. . . .”^[26] Plaintiff argues that the ALJ improperly applied SSR 82-59 in reaching this conclusion.^[27] “SSR 82-59 . . . provides that an ALJ may deny benefits to a claimant who has a disability if the claimant unjustifiably fails to follow prescribed treatment that is clearly expected to restore capacity to engage in any [substantial gainful activity].” Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1114 n.6 (9th Cir. 2012). In other words, “Social Security Ruling 82-59 delineates the circumstances in which the [Commissioner] can deny benefits on the basis that the claimant has failed to follow prescribed treatment.” Roberts v. Shalala, 66 F.3d 179, 183 (9th Cir. 1995). The rule has no application in this case because the Commissioner did not deny plaintiff's benefits because she failed to follow prescribed treatment. Molina, 674 F.3d at 1114 n.6. Rather, plaintiff's alleged “failure to seek treatment . . . was merely a factor in the ALJ's credibility determination.” Id. That does not mean, however, that plaintiff's wanting to pursue conservative treatment was a clear and convincing reason for the ALJ to discount plaintiff's pain and symptom statements.

         “[A] conservative course of treatment can undermine allegations of debilitating pain[.]” Carmickle v. Comm'r, Social Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1162 (9th Cir. 2008). However, “such fact is not a proper basis for rejecting the claimant's credibility where the claimant has a good reason for not seeking more aggressive treatment.” Id. The ALJ relied on the fact that in 2015, plaintiff elected to continue with conservative treatment rather than going forward with surgery. Plaintiff testified that she made this decision because the doctor

said [the surgery] would alleviate some of the low back pain, but the risk in that is also that it could cause further injury up higher in my back, in the mid section of my back. At that time I didn't feel like that risk was worth [it.] I just didn't feel like it was worth it to cause more problems.^[28]

         Plaintiff had a good reason for not pursuing the more aggressive treatment option. Moreover, Dr. Ahmadinia did not prescribe surgery but rather “discussed . . . treatment options” with plaintiff, one of which was surgery.^[29] The fact that plaintiff did not elect to have spinal fusion and instead decided to continue with more conservative treatment was not a clear and convincing reason for finding her pain and symptom statements less than credible.

         The next reason the ALJ gave for finding plaintiff's pain and symptom statements less than credible was that there was not sufficient evidence to support her reports of bilateral feet numbness. Specifically, the ALJ noted that “there was no lower extremity electromyography examination results to support these complain[ts.]”^[30] Plaintiff argues that this was not a clear and convincing reason because an ALJ “may not discredit the claimant's testimony as to the severity of symptoms merely because they are unsupported by objective medical evidence.” Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1036 (citation omitted). Yet, according to plaintiff, that is exactly what the ALJ did.

         Defendant, however, argues that this was a clear and convincing reason because the only EMG results in the record were normal.^[31] Defendant also contends that plaintiff was representing to providers that her peripheral neuropathy had been confirmed by an EMG, ^[32]which was simply not true. Defendant insists that the ALJ properly relied on the lack of objective medical evidence as an indicator of whether plaintiff's subjective complaints were credible.

         But, as plaintiff points out, the ALJ did not mention either the normal EMG or that plaintiff had told a provider in December 2016 that her peripheral neuropathy had been confirmed by an EMG. “Long-standing principles of administrative law require [the court] to review the ALJ's decision based on the reasoning and factual findings offered by the ALJ-not post hoc rationalizations that attempt to intuit what the adjudicator may have been thinking.” Bray, 554 F.3d at 1225.

         Here, the ALJ found that plaintiff's reports of bilateral feet numbness were not supported by objective medical evidence. But, an ALJ “may not discredit the claimant's testimony as to the severity of symptoms merely because they are unsupported by objective medical evidence[, ]” Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1036 (citation omitted). This was not a clear and convincing reason for finding plaintiff's pain and symptom statements less than credible.

         The next reason given by the ALJ for discounting plaintiff's statements was that “the file is void of any consistent treatment for her low back, neck, or numbness in 2014[.]”^[33] An ALJ may discount a claimant's pain and symptom statements based on a lack of consistent treatment. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 681-82 (9th Cir. 2005). But, plaintiff argues that she did seek consistent treatment for her pain and numbness in 2014. In 2014, plaintiff saw her providers at Oklahoma Pain and Wellness on May 8, August 4, October 3, and on December 3.^[34] She argues that this was consistent treatment.

         Defendant argues that it is significant that plaintiff did not seek any treatment for her pain and numbness for the first six months of 2014. Defendant points out that plaintiff had her first administrative hearing in November 2013 and that she did not see her provider again until one month after the ALJ issued an unfavorable decision in April 2014. Defendant appears to be suggesting that plaintiff stopped seeing her pain management provider because she believed that ...